On JJ.,it's good to hear your perspective,Gloria-keep it coming!
Jack Jones
Re: Jack Jones
There is a Johnny Mathis Society running here in the UK-I think the address is listed in IN TUNE INTERNATIONAL magazine.
On JJ.,it's good to hear your perspective,Gloria-keep it coming!
On JJ.,it's good to hear your perspective,Gloria-keep it coming!
Re: Jack Jones
Thanks so much for your approval, Mark! I was seriously worried about offending people here. JJ's story is rather complicated, with the 70's being such a rough decade for pop singers like himself - shutting them out of radio and concert halls - and ultimately leading to Jack's reinvention of himself.
It's funny, but in the U.S. there are many male music fans who only own one Jack Jones album, and who praise it to this day: his RCA title, L.A. Breakdown. I'm guessing that this is because of its similarity to Sinatra's deeply introspective concept albums. Jack's voice had deepened some by then, but he was still utilizing his original, full-throated delivery. And is it me, or did Jack find deeper meaning in Gordon Jenkins' "But I Loved You" than Sinatra did? (JJ was divorcing Jill St. John at the time, so it's always left me wondering). But anyway, this album came to represent a direction that Jack could've taken his recording career in - but perhaps he thought it would be too risky, or else figured that Frank had already taken the genre as far as it could go.
It seems like L.A. Breakdown doesn't resonate much with fans outside the U.S., so it'll be interesting to see how Jack will prioritize this for future CD issues.
I was seriously worried about offending people here. JJ's story is rather complicated, with the 70's being such a rough decade for pop singers like himself - shutting them out of radio and concert halls - and ultimately leading to Jack's reinvention of himself.It's funny, but in the U.S. there are many male music fans who only own one Jack Jones album, and who praise it to this day: his RCA title, L.A. Breakdown. I'm guessing that this is because of its similarity to Sinatra's deeply introspective concept albums. Jack's voice had deepened some by then, but he was still utilizing his original, full-throated delivery. And is it me, or did Jack find deeper meaning in Gordon Jenkins' "But I Loved You" than Sinatra did? (JJ was divorcing Jill St. John at the time, so it's always left me wondering). But anyway, this album came to represent a direction that Jack could've taken his recording career in - but perhaps he thought it would be too risky, or else figured that Frank had already taken the genre as far as it could go.
It seems like L.A. Breakdown doesn't resonate much with fans outside the U.S., so it'll be interesting to see how Jack will prioritize this for future CD issues.
Re: Jack Jones
I did not know that Jj was married to Jill St John !!
Mark, I think you will find that the Johnny Mathis society listed in "Intune" is the one that folded up in June of this year--run by Merle Wilson-Ball.
Another fan has taken on the task of running a "Social" club, just for fan club lunches etc, but it is definately not endorsed by Johnny Mathis or Rojon, and is purely unofficial.
Mark, I think you will find that the Johnny Mathis society listed in "Intune" is the one that folded up in June of this year--run by Merle Wilson-Ball.
Another fan has taken on the task of running a "Social" club, just for fan club lunches etc, but it is definately not endorsed by Johnny Mathis or Rojon, and is purely unofficial.
Mariana
Re: Jack Jones
We arrived home from Cardiff at 1.45a.m.and here I am writing about last night's concert at 7.30a.m. 
Jack was really in top form at this one. He has fully recovered from his mini cold and the voice is as good as ever.
He appeared happy and relaxed, and you could tell he enjoyed the evening as much as we did.
Wearing a brand new smart black jacket with a hint of glitter, and black trousers, finished off with a black tie with a silvery white stripe, and black shoes. He looked very elegant.
He disclosed the fact that his wife had taken him to TK Max earlier in the day!
The song list was very similar to Birmingham with the exception that Kansas City was included earlier and he added Wives and Lovers at the end.
Again Jack followed this with the mystery song from last time that I found out to be "What Matters Most" by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
Along with another beautiful song "There is No Goodbye" these had remained undiscovered and unrecorded until they were sent to Jack recently.
Hopefully they will both be on the new album which is planned for release in January. Title - "Love Makes The Changes".
His new wife Eleonora, is very friendly and sociable and arranged for a few of us to go backstage and say hi after the show. They both chatted for a while before facing the inevitable Welsh November rain. Jack well prepared in his blue raincoat.
We are looking forward to doing it all again tonight in Croydon. hopefully without the rain!
Marian
Jack was really in top form at this one. He has fully recovered from his mini cold and the voice is as good as ever.
He appeared happy and relaxed, and you could tell he enjoyed the evening as much as we did.
Wearing a brand new smart black jacket with a hint of glitter, and black trousers, finished off with a black tie with a silvery white stripe, and black shoes. He looked very elegant.
He disclosed the fact that his wife had taken him to TK Max earlier in the day!
The song list was very similar to Birmingham with the exception that Kansas City was included earlier and he added Wives and Lovers at the end.
Again Jack followed this with the mystery song from last time that I found out to be "What Matters Most" by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
Along with another beautiful song "There is No Goodbye" these had remained undiscovered and unrecorded until they were sent to Jack recently.
Hopefully they will both be on the new album which is planned for release in January. Title - "Love Makes The Changes".
His new wife Eleonora, is very friendly and sociable and arranged for a few of us to go backstage and say hi after the show. They both chatted for a while before facing the inevitable Welsh November rain. Jack well prepared in his blue raincoat.
We are looking forward to doing it all again tonight in Croydon.
hopefully without the rain!Marian
Re: Jack Jones
Thanks again for the writeup Marian--sounds wonderful. I am so looking forward to that new cd-I am sure it will be amazing.
You were so lucky to get a chance to see JJ backstage--none of us ever got the chance to see JM backstage---even after a tour of 12 concerts and nearly 3000 miles on the road--plus I am not really sure how they could have picked out just a few. But we did get to see him at after-show suppers, so that was good fun.
You were so lucky to get a chance to see JJ backstage--none of us ever got the chance to see JM backstage---even after a tour of 12 concerts and nearly 3000 miles on the road--plus I am not really sure how they could have picked out just a few. But we did get to see him at after-show suppers, so that was good fun.
Mariana
Re: Jack Jones
Thanks Marian for the review of the concerts. Very interesting about the lost songs.
How was his new haircut? Is his hair still white?
I would be like Johnny Mathis ... I would want to unwind after the show and not have visitors.
How was his new haircut? Is his hair still white?
I would be like Johnny Mathis ... I would want to unwind after the show and not have visitors.
Re: Jack Jones
Your detailed reports are terrific, Marian. Thanks for all the time you spend on them.
Sounds like Eleanora is putting the style back in JJ's image - something he hasn't been so noted for since his 60's tuxedo days.
Mariana: as it happened, Jack was divorcing his first wife, Lee, when he recorded Where Love Has Gone and divorcing Jill when he recorded L.A. Breakdown, his only departures into mournful Sinatra territory. Don't know if those were indicative of Jack's mood at those times, or simply what the record companies were wanting, but they're interesting footnotes in JJ's recording career, all the same.
Sounds like Eleanora is putting the style back in JJ's image - something he hasn't been so noted for since his 60's tuxedo days.
Mariana: as it happened, Jack was divorcing his first wife, Lee, when he recorded Where Love Has Gone and divorcing Jill when he recorded L.A. Breakdown, his only departures into mournful Sinatra territory. Don't know if those were indicative of Jack's mood at those times, or simply what the record companies were wanting, but they're interesting footnotes in JJ's recording career, all the same.
Re: Jack Jones
Pleased you are enjoying Jack's tour, Marian and Peter.
Re: Jack Jones
The JM Society is still listed but I guess it's as you say,MA.
Re: Jack Jones
Thank you everyone for your kind comments on my JJ concert reports.
Another great show last night. The content was very similar to that at Cardiff and he wore the same outfit.
Peter and I were in the front row this time and Jack always comes into the audience and sings at least a couple of songs right up close, shaking hands with everyone.
He quite often also goes right to the back of the audience and disappears from sight!
Last night he was talking about his early career and mentioned one of his managers whose name now escapes me, but he used to sing with the Tommy Dorsey Band and Jack spoke very highly of him.
Anyway, when he wanted Jack to show more emotion in his songs he said to Jack..."now if you could only fall in love" Jack said he would see what he could do! About six months later he had met a special young lady so he went back to his manager and told him. His manager was pleased, but then said, " now, if only she would leave you"! and Jack said..."she did, and she did, and she did"!! 
Jack finished his encore last night with "Somewhere".
Marian
Another great show last night.
The content was very similar to that at Cardiff and he wore the same outfit.Peter and I were in the front row this time and Jack always comes into the audience and sings at least a couple of songs right up close, shaking hands with everyone.
He quite often also goes right to the back of the audience and disappears from sight!
Last night he was talking about his early career and mentioned one of his managers whose name now escapes me, but he used to sing with the Tommy Dorsey Band and Jack spoke very highly of him.
Anyway, when he wanted Jack to show more emotion in his songs he said to Jack..."now if you could only fall in love"
Jack said he would see what he could do! About six months later he had met a special young lady so he went back to his manager and told him. His manager was pleased, but then said, " now, if only she would leave you"! and Jack said..."she did, and she did, and she did"!! Jack finished his encore last night with "Somewhere".
Marian
Re: Jack Jones
Jack announced last night that he intends to release ' Breadwinners' digitally remastered in time for the next U.K. tour May 2011.
The Bergman album will hopefully be released in the U.S in time for Jack's next appearance at his local theatre The McCallum, next January.
Marian
The Bergman album will hopefully be released in the U.S in time for Jack's next appearance at his local theatre The McCallum, next January.
Marian
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Re: Jack Jones
I hope the entire Breadwinners album will be released on CD and not a few songs from it coupled with a few songs from another RCA album.
Perhaps Marian can give Jack this feedback.
Perhaps Marian can give Jack this feedback.
Re: Jack Jones
The only problem I have with the "Breadwinners" album--is--it is so short ! Maybe JJ can put some extra tracks on.
Mariana